CMC protests against takeover of its property by UDA/ Ministry of Defense

Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil said that certain state institutions owed the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) over Rs. 1.5 billion in assessment tax arrears, while the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was continuing to acquire CMC administered property in the guise of development creating a big financial loss to the Council.He said that taking over of CMC property was a violation of the 13th Amendment, while the income generated by the Council had been reduced by 40 percent.

Some of the properties thus acquired by the UDA include the former St. John’s Fish Market, Manning Market in Pettah, Nomads Playground, part of the Henry Pedris Park in Havelock Town, part of the Race Course and Vihara Maha Devi Park.

Colombo’s Deputy Mayor Titus Perera told The Island that the government was acquiring CMC property gradually saying it was for development purposes, but the fact was that those properties were sold or were to be sold to foreigners and private companies/individuals and deprived the CMC of valuable income for their numerous projects.

The Nelum Pokuna had come up at the former Nomads playground, part of the Henry Pedris Park had been given to the Carlton Sports Club and the Race Course for a shopping and restaurant complex on similar lines t, he said.

Deputy Mayor Perera said that the CMC had written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing their opposition to UDA acquiring property belonging to the CMC and had appealed to him not to take over any more CMC administered property in future.By Lal Gunasekera